Authors

Document Type

Video

Interview Date

11-4-1998

Abstract

What contributions do you believe American Catholic theologians have made to the world at large?

Rev. Walter Burghardt, S.J. discusses concrete examples of contributions of American Catholic theologians. He discusses most importantly, the development of the document of Religious Liberty, influenced greatly by John Courtney Murray, S.J. This document acknowledged that the Church may not expect anyone to act against his or her beliefs or conscience as long as there is no harm to others. He lastly mentions the contributions of Richard McCormick,S.J. in developing Models of Theology, and American theologians on the development of the liturgy.

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Playing Time: 3:15

About the Interviewee:

The Rev. Dr. Walter Burghardt, S.J. received a Master’s degree and Licentiates in philosophy and sacred theology at Woodstock College near Baltimore and was ordained in 1941. He earned a doctorate in sacred theology from the Catholic University of America. Rev. Burghardt taught historical theology for 32 years at Woodstock College and was also a professor at Catholic University and a visiting lecturer at Union Theological in New York and Princeton Theological Seminary. From 1974 to 2003, he was a senior fellow at the Woodstock Theological Center at Georgetown University and in 1978, he was named the first theologian in residence at Georgetown. Rev. Burghardt wrote more than 300 articles and 25 books and was well known as one of the country’s best preachers. He died in 2008.

About the Interviewer:

Dr. Alfred Benney is a professor of Religious Studies at Fairfield University. He has a Ph.D in Theology from the Hartford Seminary Foundation and teaches courses in Non-Traditional American Religions and Christian Religious Thought. His research interests include "how people learn"; "the appropriate use of technology in teaching/learning" and "myth as explanatory narrative". He has published

Recommended Citation

Burghardt, Walter S.J. and Benney, Alfred. Created by Alfred Benney. "Rev. Dr. Walter Burghardt, S.J. Engages with the Question: What Contributions Do You Believe American Catholic Theologians Have Made to the World at Large?" November 1998. DigitalCommons@Fairfield. Web. https://digitalcommons.fairfield.edu/asrvideos/297